Veliko Tarnovo

Region ·🇧🇬 Bulgaria

Population 200,413

Area 4,543 km²

Time zone Europe/Sofia

Official website www.vt.government.bg

Planning a Trip to Veliko Tarnovo?

Build your day-by-day itinerary in the Tripomatic app.

Start Planning

Explore Veliko Tarnovo

Veliko Tarnovo's Royal Road: Essential Sights

Veliko Tarnovo, the former capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, centers on the medieval fortresses of Tsarevets and Trapezitsa. The city’s steep landscape above the Yantra River features the Asen Dynasty Monument and National Revival architecture, such as the House with the Monkey and Sarafkina’s House. Significant religious sites include the Holy Forty Martyrs Church and the nearby Transfiguration Monastery. This selection covers the city's transition from a royal stronghold to a 19th-century cultural hub.

16 places

Bulgarian Orthodox Heritage

This collection features significant Eastern Orthodox sites in the Veliko Tarnovo region, the historical capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. It includes medieval churches like the Holy Forty Martyrs and the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, alongside active monastic complexes such as the Transfiguration and Kilifarevo monasteries. These sites showcase the architectural styles of the Tarnovo Artistic School, featuring intricate wood carvings, vibrant frescoes by Zahari Zograf, and historical inscriptions that played a pivotal role in Bulgaria's spiritual preservation.

20 places

Bulgaria's Natural Wonders

This collection features the diverse geological formations of the Veliko Tarnovo and Svishtov regions. It includes the Hotnitsa and Kapinovski waterfalls, known for their distinct eco-trails and turquoise pools. The list covers significant karst features such as the Musina Cave, which historically supplied water to the Roman city of Nicopolis ad Istrum. Visitors can also explore protected nature reserves like Glavite and Markov Buk in the Balkan Mountains, alongside various riverside parks in Svishtov and local reservoirs utilized for fishing and recreation.

20 places